Kentucky
Kentucky Senate Democrats reelect caucus leadership • Kentucky Lantern
Kentucky Senate Democrats voted to retain their caucus leaders ahead of the 2025 legislative session.
Senate Democratic Floor Leader Gerald Neal, Senate Democratic Caucus Chair Reggie Thomas and Senate Democratic Whip David Yates were reelected to their positions, a Senate Democratic Caucus press release said Thursday.
“The Kentucky Senate Democrats are proud to have selected a strong, united team to guide us over the next biennium,” Neal, of Louisville, said in a statement. “Our caucus is committed to standing up for the values we share with our constituents and fighting for a brighter future for all Kentuckians.”
The press release said the caucus leaders “will play a critical role in advancing the minority’s legislative agenda such as expanding economic opportunities throughout the state, improving public education, protecting access to healthcare, embracing diversity and addressing the day-to-day challenges facing Kentucky families.”
After the 2024 general election, Democrats continue to hold seven seats in the Senate, compared to the Republican supermajority of 31.
Meanwhile, House Democratic Leadership changed as former Caucus Chair Rep. Cherlynn Stevenson lost her election in November and two leaders — former Floor Leader Derrick Graham and Democratic Whip Rachel Roberts — did not seek reelection. Last month, the caucus elected House Democratic Floor Leader Pamela Stevenson, House Democratic Caucus Chair Al Gentry and House Democratic Whip Lindsey Burke to their new roles.
House Democrats hold 20 seats to the Republicans’ 80-seat supermajority.
On the Republican side, the House and Senate caucuses named their leaders last month. In the Senate, Republicans elected Senate Republican Floor Leader Max Wise and Republican Caucus Chair Robby Mills to their positions. Senate President Robert Stivers, President Pro Tempore David Givens and Majority Whip Mike Wilson were re-elected to their positions.
House Republicans reelected their leaders: Speaker David Osborne, Speaker Pro Tempore David Meade, House Republican Floor Leader Steven Rudy, House Republican Caucus Chair Suzanne Miles, House Republican Whip Jason Nemes.
Lawmakers reconvene in Frankfort on Tuesday, Jan. 7.
Kentucky
June unemployment rate shows slight increase in Kentucky Center for Statistics latest report
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – Recent heavy rainfall has left soil across the state completely soaked, contributing to localized flooding in some areas.
When rain falls, some water soaks into the ground through a process called percolation.
Soil can only hold a limited amount of water. Once the small air spaces within the soil fill with water, the ground becomes saturated and additional rainfall has nowhere to go.
Soil type plays a role in how quickly water drains.
Much of Kentucky has clay-heavy soil, which is made up of very small, flat particles packed tightly together.
That composition makes it harder for water to move through. In clay soil, water may drain at a rate of only 0.02 to 0.17 inches per hour.
When rainfall comes down faster than the ground can absorb it and water cannot drain into a stream or storm drain quickly enough, it begins to build up.
That buildup is what leads to localized flooding.
Copyright 2026 WKYT. All rights reserved.
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) – Cyclosporiasis is a microscopic parasite that can contaminate food and water — is making people sick across several states, including Kentucky.
Dr. Patricia Tellez-Watson said, the illness is caused by Cyclospora cayetanensis and spreads when someone ingests contaminated food or water. “It is an intestinal infection caused by this water-borne, food-borne microscopic parasite,” she said.
Symptoms can include diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
Tellez-Watson said, cases are often sporadic, but outbreaks can happen — especially during hot, wet months, when the parasite can survive in the environment long enough to become infectious.
Health experts recommend taking extra precautions with food and water. Washing hands and thoroughly rinsing produce before eating or cooking can reduce risk.
Watson also urged people to be cautious with fresh produce, particularly pre-packaged items, and to consider using bottled water.
Officials have confirmed cases in Bowling Green, though it’s unclear how many.
Copyright 2026 WBKO. All rights reserved.
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